How do I delete Windows Security Centre from my computer? It constantly wants to download antivirus 2009. I use Norton corporate edition and do not want another antivirus system.
What is Windows Security Center?
Windows XP and Vista come with the built-in Windows Security Center. This tool is located in the Control Panel and it actively monitors your computer’s current security settings. For example, if your computer does not find an active antivirus application on it, you’ll see an alert in the lower right corner of your screen. Likewise, if the firewall has been turned off, Windows Security Center will let you know. While Windows Security Center notifications can be annoying, they do provide you with a quick indication when something may be wrong. After all, how often do you manually check to see if your firewall is still active?
Is it Windows Security Center or is it an Imposter?
When Windows Security Center can’t find an active antivirus application, it will let you know. Microsoft does provide links to the Microsoft Security Central Web site where you can find useful information about computer security. However, the legitimate Security Center on your computer does not prompt you to buy a particular product. This leads me to believe that you are yet another victim of an imposter.
According to an October 14th post on the CA Security Advisor Research Blog, a spyware application is infecting computers and pretending to be a Windows Security Center window. It looks very much like the normal Windows Security Window that you would normally see had you launched Security Center on your own. The only differences are:
- The Logo next to the words “Virus Protection” is different
- A few lines of text are present saying, “Windows Security Center Reports that WinDefender 2008 is inactive,”
- A link prompts you to purchase a WinDefender 2008 license
Tricky, isn’t it? Now, your particular screen apparently is a twist on this which isn’t unusual. In your case you’re being prompted to purchase a product called “Antivirus 2009.” Malware makers are known for issuing dozens of variations on schemes like this in an effort to trick people into buying their product. For example, “WinDefender” sounds quite similar to Windows Defender, a legitimate security product. People with legitimate products such as Bit Defender Antivirus 2008 may fall for a prompt to update their product to the new “Antivirus 2009″ edition based on the fake screen.
Removing Fake Windows Security Pop Up Windows
Since this is most likely an imposter, we don’t want to remove the real Windows Security Center but we do want to remove the bad one. First, go to Norton and make sure that you have the latest antispyware definitions and then run a complete system scan. Norton’s WinDefender 2008 removal instructions and Norton’s Antivirus 2009 removal instructions are posted on their Web site.
Disabling Legitimate Windows Security Center Alerts
While I’m 100% sure that your problem is a case of malicious programming in action, I also understand that many people are tired of the legitimate Windows Security Center Alerts. For example, if you are tired of being notified each time you turn on your computer with a note telling you that you have disabled Windows Account Control or some other notification, you can tell the Security Center to stop with the notifications. Simply go into the Security Center and click the “Change the way Security Center alerts me” link and make your choice.
